---
title: "‘We’re ready’ – Kyle Walker-Peters sends West Ham Championship message"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/08/02/were-ready-kyle-walker-peters-sends-west-ham-championship-message/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-08-02T09:57:55Z"
modified: "2026-08-02T09:58:00Z"
---

# ‘We’re ready’ – Kyle Walker-Peters sends West Ham Championship message

**Kyle Walker-Peters believes West Ham are ready for the challenge ahead after completing an unbeaten pre-season with a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Magdeburg.**

West Ham’s Championship season begins at Burnley on 16 August, but Nuno Espírito Santo’s side first face Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup next weekend.

[Walker-Peters told West Ham’s official website](https://www.whufc.com/en/news/walker-peters-or-were-looking-forward-to-getting-going) that the squad have been able to put the manager’s ideas into practice during a demanding four-week preparation period.

“We’ve had some good tests, including today, and we’ve been able to put the manager’s ideas into practice, so I think we’re ready,” he said.

West Ham ended pre-season without defeat after draws against Southend United, Rangers and Magdeburg, alongside a 5-0 victory at Stevenage.

> "We are where we are in terms of the league, and we have to deal with it and put it right, starting from next weekend against Portsmouth. I know it’s a cup game, but it will give us a good test of what the Championship is like, and we want to win."\
> \
> – Kyle Walker-Peters ⚒️ [pic.twitter.com/PB3IxSjuZj](https://t.co/PB3IxSjuZj)
>
> — Central (@WestHam\_Central) [August 2, 2026](https://x.com/WestHam_Central/status/2083846993487462627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## West Ham Championship season starts with major pressure

Maximilian Kilman put the Hammers ahead after 21 minutes in Germany before Falko Michel struck a late equaliser for Magdeburg.

The unbeaten record offers encouragement, although performances have highlighted areas Nuno still needs to improve before competitive football begins.

[ReadWestHam analysed three problems Nuno must solve before facing Portsmouth](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/01/three-west-ham-problems-nuno-must-solve-before-portsmouth/), including a lack of attacking pace and midfield creativity despite positive displays from Kilman and Lewis Orford.

Walker-Peters accepts the Championship will provide a different challenge.

The 29-year-old experienced promotion from the division with Southampton and believes opponents will make life difficult for a West Ham side expected to compete near the top of the table.

He has also enjoyed developing his understanding with captain Jarrod Bowen on the right flank. The pair regularly discuss their positioning and combinations away from matches as they look to strengthen that partnership.

Attention now turns to Portsmouth at the London Stadium.

West Ham’s pre-season has provided Nuno with valuable preparation, but Walker-Peters knows competitive results will determine whether the summer work has genuinely left the Hammers ready for their promotion challenge.